Slug casting machine



Nov. 6, 1934. A. J; STOUGES 1,980,111

SLUG CASTING MACHINE Original Filed June 19. 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 3 1934- A. J. STOUGES 1,980,111

SLUG CASTING MACHINE Original Filed June 19, 1931 4 Sheets-She et 2 ,1934. A. J. STOUGES 1,980,111

- SLUG CASTING MACHINE Original Filed June 19, 1931 ,4 Sheets-Sheet 3 LIV KEN TOR NOV. 6, 1934.. sTOUGES 7 1,980,111

SLUG CASTING MACHINE Original Filed June 19, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

ATTO Y4 Patented Nov. 6, 1934 SLUG CASTING MACHINE Anthony J. Stouges, Queens Village, N. Y., as-

signor to Mergenthaler Linotype Company, a corporation of New York Original application June 19, 1931, Serial No.

545,398. Divided and 31, 1933, Serial No. 654,557.

January 25, 1932 11 Claims.

This invention is directed to an improved automatic slug casting machine capable of producing type bars or slugs with characters ranging in size from 5 /2 pt. to 144 pt., and particularly of the type shown in my co-pending application, Serial No. 545,398, filed June 19th, 1931, of which the instant application is a division.

The machine is adapted to handle not only the regular linotype matrices (in order that the vast number of outstanding matrix fonts may be utilized if desired) but in addition matrices of special form which could not be handled in the regular commercial machines and which are herein intended for hand composition only. The special matrices employed include those of one size for characters ranging up to 72 pt. in height, and those of a larger size for characters ranging from '72 pt. to 144 pt.

In the use of the machine, the matrices are composed in line in a hand stick or holder which then is placed in the machine and the compose line thereafter presented automatically to the casting mechanism, which includes four molds, two of regular form to cooperate with the regular matrices, and two of special form to cooperate with the special matrices of both sizes. During each cycle of operation, a slug is cast in the selected mold, ejected therefrom, trimmed, and finally stacked in a galley arranged conveniently at the front of the machine.

The several molds, each of which comprises as usual a fixed body portion and an adjustable cap portion, are all carried in a rotatable wheel or disc and have their inner casting surfaces (those nearer to the axis of the disc) located at the same distance therefrom, so that said casting surfaces will all stand in the same horizontal and vertical planes when the selected mold occupies the slug casting and ejecting positions, respectively. This particular arrangement is common to the commercial linotype machines and is very advantageous for reasons well understood in the art.

The characters of the regular matrix fonts are positioned as usual with reference to a datum line which passes through the tops of the upper case characters (inverted), all characters throughout the various fonts growing upwardly from this line as their size increases. In casting from such matrices, therefore, the composed lines irrespective of character size are supported at a common level in the casting position and the width of the mold slot is varied to suit the particular font in use merely by adjusting the cap portion of the mold toward or item the body porthis application January In Great Britain tion. The main disadvantage of these regular matrix fonts however is that it is impossible to mix different sizes of characters in the same line due to the top alinement.

The characters of the special matrix fonts herein employed, on the other hand, are positioned with reference to a common datum line Which passes through the bases of the upper case characters (inverted), so that matrices of different sizes may be composed in the same line and still be properly alined. Although the characters as thus designed for base alinement grow downwardly from the common datum line as their size increases, the present invention enables slugs of any selected body size to beproduced from these special matrices in the customary way, i. e., through an adjustment only of the cap portions of the corresponding molds, this being accomplished by presenting the matrix lines to the molds at one oranother of a series of different levels according to the size of the font in use. The customary matrix ears and mold alining ribs are dispensed with and the required horizontal alinement of the matrix characters with the mold slot (ordinarily effected by the direct engagement of the matrix ears with the mold ribs) is brought about by definitely locating both the matrix line and the mold in a truly horizontal position on a common supporting frame during the slug casting operation. Ordinarily, for faces above 14 pt., the special molds employed should preferably be of the ordinary recessed type so that the cast slugs will be comparatively light in weight and the top portions of the slugs properly supported as usual by a series of vertical reinforcing ribs.

In carrying out the invention, it is also proposed to make the special molds lower or of less depth than the regular molds and to form the special matrices with routing notches sufliciently deep to compensate for the reduced height of the molds. By so doing, as will later appear, it is possible to cast in a plain mold of one body size, say 12 pt. or 14 pt., L-shaped or overhanging slugs with characters varying in. height, say from 42 pt. to 72 pt. In the case of the larger special matrices, having the 72 pt. to 144 pt. range previously mentioned, it is proposed to use them primarily in conjunction with a special mold of the recessed type so as to produce an L-shaped or overhanging slug with a ribbed body portion (rather than with a solid bodyportion). The width of the overhanging top portions as well as the thickness of the body portions of these. partie'ular' slugs may be varied to suit different arno an rangements of the type matter in the printing forms. For example, in casting a 120 pt. type face, the slug may have a 72 pt. body and a 48 pt.

overhang, or a 48 pt. body with a 72 pt. overhang,

these dimensions being purely illustrative.

hand knife is adjustable to different positions corresponding to the outer casting surface of the particular mold in use. The left hand knife on the other hand is not adjustable, since it is intended to register as usual with'the fixed inner casting surface or constant line of the mold. It is however movable bodily at will from its active position so as to stand out of the path of the L-shaped slugs whose top portions extend inwardly of or overlap the inner casting surface of the mold.

In the accompanying drawings, the various improvements have been shown merely in preferred form and by way of example and obviously many changes and variations may be made therein and in their mode of adaptation and still be comprised Within the scope of the invention. It should, therefore, be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment, except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an enlarged front elevation, partly broken away, of a slug trimming mechanism for the improved machine;

- Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1, showing also the various parts associated with theslug trimming mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a similar section taken on line 44 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a face view of the mold disc and the several molds carried thereby.

The disc A is rotatably mounted as usual on a fore-and-aft mold slide and is equipped, in the present instance, with four slotted molds, any selected one of which may be brought into use by the rotary adjustment of the disc as effected in the usual way by means of a driving pinion A operated from the main cam shaft. As the machine is'started by the engagement of the main driving clutch (not shown), the cam shaft is rotated slowly, and the mold disc or carrier A is given a quarter turn in an anti-clockwise direction (looking from the front of the machine) to locate the selected mold in the casting position. The elevator or transporter B then descends to position a line of matrices (previously delivered thereto) in front of the active mold, where the line is justified between clamping jaws mounted in the fixed vertically disposed vise frame D. The mold slide is now moved forward to bring the active mold up against the matrix line, which thereby closes the mold slot at the front, and the metal pot-is likewise advanced from its normal position behind the disc A to bring the mouthpiece thereof up against the back of the mold, thereby closing the mold slot at the rear. The descent of the pot plungers immediately follows, and molten metal is ejected from the pot into the mold to' produce the cast slug. As the cycle of operation proceeds and the cam shaft above 14 pt. 1

continues to revolve, the pot plungers are raised, the metal pot and the mold slide are caused to recede, and the disc A is given a three-quarter turn in the same direction as before to carry the mold with thecontained slug to. a vertical position between the ejector blade'F at the rear and the trimming knives G G at the front. The mold slide is next advanced a second time to locate the mold against the vise frame D in close relation to the knives G G whereupon the ejector blade F is thrust forwardly to eject the slug from the mold. By the forward movement of the ejector blade F, the slug is forced between the two knives, whose cutting edges trim the side faces of the slug, and the latter is subsequently delivered to and stacked in the galley S supported from the vise frame D by the brackets S About this time and as the cycle of operation is completed, the line transporter B and the mold disc A are restored to their original and normal positions of rest.

As set forth in the parent application, three different types of matrices are used with the machine; two of special type and the regular lino- .type matrices, the latter being formed as usual with two superposed characters in the caseof smaller type fonts ranging up to 14'pt., and those with but a single character being confined to the large head-letter and display fonts ranging One type of'specialzmatrix is of plain rectangular form, and is considerably longer than the regular matrices in orderto increase the space allotted to the characters. The characters of these special matrices range up to 72 pt. and are positioned on the casting edges of the matrices throughout theseveralfonts, with reference to a common datum line located at a given distance from the bottom ed gesof the matrices. As disclosed in my co-pending application, heretofore referred to, this datum line passes through the bases of the characters, and the bottom edges of the matrices are dressed to provide suitable alining surfaces, so that when the matrices are composed side by side in line and supported by their bottom edges, the characters will be proper? ly alined at their bases irrespective of size or font. These matrices are formed in their casting edges with transverse routing notches or recesses of slightly greater than the normal depth, and the characters are punched in the bottoms of these recesses. H I The other special matrices referred to are capable of bearing characters ranging from 72 pt. to 144 pt. Thesejparticular matrices may not only be used alone, but are also adapted for use in conjunction with the first type of special matrices just referred to, the characters thereof being positioned throughout the several fonts With. reference to the same datum line passing through the bases of the characters. Except as to length, these matrices are similarto the other type of special matrices, being formed'in their casting edges with deep routing notches or recesses which are adapted to extend'beyond the inner casting face of the mold to produce overhanging slugs, which will be referred to in greater detail later on.

As before stated, the disc A is equipped with four molds L L L and L The molds L and L are of regular construction and of normal height or depth to cooperate with the regular matrices in producing the common type of ribbed and plain slugs, respectively; whereas, the molds L and L are of special construction and; of

slightly less than normal height or depth to cooperate with the special and'more deeply recessed matrices in producing, respectively, L- shaped slugs having an overhanging top portion and slugs having top portions supported by reinforcing ribs. The mold L may also. be employed toproduce ribbed slugs of the overhang type.

Each of the several molds comprises a body portion L a cap portion L and a pair of intermediate liners L". The body portions L pro- .vide the inner casting surfaces or the lower side walls Z of the mold slots (those closer to the axis of the disc), the cap portions L provide the outer casting surfaces or the upper side walls Z of the mold slots (those farther removed from .the axis of the disc), and the liners provide the end walls I of the mold slots.

The body portions L of the molds are screwed fast to the disc A, and the inner casting surfaces 1 thereof are all equidistant from the axis A of the disc, so that each will occupy the same horizontal plane as well as the same vertical plane when the molds are brought into the casting and ejecting positions, respectively. These casting surfaces Z are coincident with the datum or constant line of the molds. The cap portions L of the molds are adjustable in the usual way by the liners L, which may be removed and replaced by others of different thicknesses, whereby the width ofthe mold slots may be varied as desired.

The regular mold L is representative of the so-called recessed or head-letter variety, having a range ordinarily from it pt. to 36 pt., and its cap portion is formed with core sections Z spaced apart and projecting into the mold cavity. The other regular mold L is representative of the unrecessed variety, having a range below 14 pt. and being formed with plain flat inner and outer casting surfaces as shown. Both of these regular molds present front superposed alining ribs 1 and intermediate grooves Z as usual, to accommodate the lower projecting ears of the regular matrices whether supported 'in the transporter B at the lower or the upperlevel during casting.

The special molds L and L are devoid of alining ribs or grooves in their front faces, which instead are made plain and flat throughout to i cooperate with the two forms of special matrices heretoforereferred to. Otherwise, however, the special molds are similar in construction to the regular molds L and L Thus, the cap of the mold L like the cap of the mold L is formed with core sections Z and the cap of the mold L like the cap of the mold L, is plain or unrecessed. The core sections Z of course, are larger than the core sections Z and the width of the mold slot is likewise proportionately greater.

The three molds L L and L provide for the production of slugsv with body sizes ranging from 5 ptpto 72 pt., the fourth mold L being used only for L-shaped slugs whose overhanging top portions are cast in the deeper recesses of' the special matrices before described, it being understood that the overhanging portions of such slugs are cast up against the face of the body portion L of the mold.

After the casting of the slug, the pot E and mold disc A recede, the matrix line is released, and the transporter lifted to carry the line from between the clamping jaws in the vise cap to the transfer level for the removal of the line from the transporter.

During these operations (all, of course," being performed in a certain predetermined order or sequence), the mold disc is given a three-quarter turn to carry the slug from the. casting to the ejecting position, and the mold disc A is again advanced into engagementwith a pair of banking blocks (1 secured to the vise frame D to bring the active mold into operative relation to the trimming knives G G With the parts in this position and the mold disc A firmly supported against the vise frame, the ejector F is operated to push the slug out of the mold and past'the cutting edges of the knives G G which trim the side faces of the slug and bring it to accurate size.

To support the disc A against angulardisplacement during the slug ejecting operation, it is provided with a pair of studs a which engage in the sockets d formed in the vise frame.

Since slugs of many different sizes may be cast in the machine, provision must'be made for adjusting the right hand knife G the left hand knife G having a fixed normal position, register ing with the fixed inner casting surfaces or constant line of the molds.

For this purpose, the right hand knife G iscarried by a block (3: slidably moimted in a fixed supporting frame G whereby the knife may be adjusted to and fro and set in different predetermined distances from the opposing knife G "A pair of compression springs G mounted in the block G and reacting against a plate g secured to the frame G tend constantly to move the block in one direction away from the knife G and a rotatable disc G is provided toadjust the block against the tension of said springs in the opposite direction.

The disc G according to the present invention, is formed with a spiral-shaped outer edge or periphery g and is mounted to rotate on an axis disposed at right angles to the direction of movement of the knife G (Figs. 1 and 2). As shown, the disc G is fast to the rear end of a fore-andaft rock shaft G" with its outer edge g engaging an anti-wear plate or shoe g secured to the knife block G and located on the horizontal diameter of the disc. The rock shaft G", journalled in an extension C: of the frame G and provided with a handle G for rotating the disc G is adapted when turned clockwise to move the block G and knife G positively toward the knife G and when turned anti-clockwise to permit the block and knife to be moved by the springs G away from the said knife G The knife G may thus be adjusted to different positions according to the angular position of the disc G so as to register properly with the outer casting surface of the particular mold in use. The range of adjustment of the knife G is from 6 pt. to '72 pt. to correspond with the range of adjustment of the special mold L and of course with that of the regular molds L L J A circular scale G for indicatingthe adjusted positions of the knife G is secured concentrically to the front face of the disc G being arranged to be read in conjunction with a spring latch'or detent G employed to lock the disc against rotation. The detent G (best shown in Fig. 2) ismounted in the extension (3r alongside the shaft G and is held normally under the tension of its spring G in engagement with one or 'detent G is retracted to unlock the disc G 'by 'means of a small knob G arranged conveniently adjacent the handle G so that both adjustments may be effected by one hand. To hold the detent .in its retracted position during the rotation of the disc G it is provided with a lug g, which :at such times is disengaged from a corresponding recess g formed in the extension G and which,

by a partial turn of the knob G may be moved out of registry with said recess.

Thedisc G is also provided with a series of hardened studs or set screws g arranged around the spiral edge of the disc and. disposed at points diametrically opposite the detent holes 9 The studs 9 not only afford desirable banking points for the knife block G but, being capable of individual adjustment, insure accuracy and. pre- In the preferred embodiment illustrated (see Figs. 1, 2 and 4) the knife G is carried by abroad vertically disposed block G slidably mounted in the vise frame D and operable from a rock shaft G through the medium of a horizontally disposed rod C1 and a cam G keyed to said shaft G against which oneend of the rod Gr abuts. The block G is sustained and guided in its movements by means of a pair of 'gibs g engaging respectively the upper and lower edges of the block and which are secured to lugs g projecting from the vise frame D. The rod G is anchored at its inner end to the block G and is provided at its outer end adjacent the cam G with a spring G seated in the vise frameand tending to; move the knife G toward the left to its inactive position. Y

The cam shaft G is mounted in a fixed bracket G and is provided with a crank handle G by which it may be turned through 180 in opposite directions to rotate the cam G and move the knife block G to and fro in the vise frame. When the crank handle is turned in a clockwise direction, from the dotted position to the full line position shown in Fig. l, the knife G is moved positively by the cam G toward the right to its active position as determined by the contact of the banking screws g with the lugs. g and when the position of the crank handle is reversed, the knife G is moved by the spring G toward the left to its inactive position (Fig. 2) as determined by the contact of the rod G with the low portion of the cam G Binding between the cam G and rod G and unnecessary lost motion are avoided by limiting the movements of the handlein both directions, as by the means of the 3 two stop pins 9 which project from the bracket G on the opposite sides of the shaft G and stand in the path of a stud g carried by the hub of the handle.

With the foregoing improved trimming mechanism, slugs of the smaller sizes cast in the regular molds L L as well as those of the larger sizes cast in the special mold L, are brought to accurate size by the knives G G as they are ejected. On the other hand, slugs of the overhanging type cast in the molds L or L while traction of the knife G not trimmed, may be freely ejected by there- Moreover, as a result of the particular manner in which the righthand knife is adjusted, a wide range is permitted with the use of a simple and compact arrangement 2;

of the parts. In the accompanying drawings the invention hasv been shownmerely by way of example and in preferred form, and obviously many variations and modifications may be made therein which will still be comprised within its spirit. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment, except in so far as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

Having thus described my. invention, what I claim is: 1 I

1. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a plurality of slotted molds having fixed inner casting-surfaces located on a common constant line and outer casting surfaces spaced different distances from said inner casting surfaces on the respective molds, means for bringing one mold or another into use as desired, means for ejecting cast slugs from the active mold, and a pair of trimming knives between which the slugs pass as they are ejected, one of said knives being nor.-v mally fixed and arranged toregister with the inner casting surface of the active mold, and the other knife being adjustable for register with the outer casting surface of said mold, the normally fixed knife being capable of movement into and out of trimming position according to the mold selected. 7

2. In a slug casting machine, thecombination of two slotted molds, one to cast slugs with-overhanging type-carrying portions extending throughout the length of the slugs, and the other to cast slugs without such overhanging portions, means for selecting either mold for use.- a slug ejector to cooperate with either selected mold, and a pair of knives for trimming slugs cast without the overhang as they are ejected from the mold, one of said knives being mounted for movement as a whole to and from its active position to permit the ejection without trimming. of slugs cast with the overhang; V 7

3. In a slug casting machine, the combination of a slotted mold provided with a fixed inner casting surface and adapted to cast slugs with or without an overhang extending inwardly of said surface and; throughout the length of the slugs,

means for ejecting the slugs from the mold, and

right and left hand knives for trimming the slugs as they are ejected, said left hand knife being normally alined with the fixed casting surface of the mold so as to trim the corresponding side faces of all slugs formed without the overhang, but movable as a whole out of the way topermit the ejection of slugs formed with the overhang. 4. A combination as in claim 3, characterized by the fact that the outer wall of the mold is adjustable to vary the width of the mold slot. and

that the right hand knife is adjustable to cor-.--

whereto the left hand knife is secured, and a cam for shifting the slide to locate the left hand knife in active or inactive position, as required.

7. In or for a slug casting machine, slug trimming mechanism including, in combination, an adjustable right hand trimming knife, a left hand trimming. knife adapted to occupy either an active or an inactive position, a horizontally movable slide whereto the left hand knife is secured, a spring connected to the slide for moving the knife to an inactive position, and means for moving the slide positively in the opposite direction to locate the knife in an active position.

8. In or for a slug casting machine, slug trimming mechanism including, in combination, a normally fixed knife, and an adjustable knife, and a rotatable disc formed with a continuous spiral-shaped edge for adjusting the latter knife, said disc being mounted in fixed bearings and having its axis disposed at right angles to the direction of movement of said knife.

9. A combination as in claim 8, including a spring for holding the knife in constant engagement with the rotatable adjusting disc.

10. A combination, as in claim 8, including a slide for supporting the adjustable knife, and characterized by the fact that the said rotatable disc is provided with a series of hardened studs arranged at predetermined points around the spiral-shaped edge thereof and adapted to cooperate with a wear piece mounted on said slide.

11. In or for a slug casting machine, slug trimming mechanism including, in combination, a normally fixed knife and an adjustable knife, a rotatable disc mounted on an axis disposed at right angles to the direction of movement of the latter knife and formed with a continuous spiralshaped edge for adjusting said knife, a handle for setting the disc in different angular positions in adjusting the knife, and a spring actuated detent mounted in a fixed position and adapted to enter one of a series of holes formed in the disc for looking it in a set position.

ANTHONY J. STOUGES. 

